Relegation Zone
Part 14 | Ingolstadt 04 | FM23 Hardcore Mode
Kutschke
We were done in by one of our own.
Stefan Kutschke, a former Ingolstadt player who was sold before my time, did one over on us. He scored 2 goals for Dresden to help power them to a 3-1 victory.
I was excited at the start when Justin Butler scored a surprise goal on an excellent strike. However, it was all for naught, as our battered and bruised defense didn’t put up much of a fight at all.
Dresden absolutely dominated the match, winning almost 60% of possession and outshooting us, 18 to 4. It looked like we didn’t even show up.
We seem to have gone full circle in the beginning of this season, going from a squad more than willing to dominate possession but unable to attack to a squad eager to attack but unable to retain possession or defend. Our passing remains excellent, but our defending is extremely poor — and there doesn’t seem to be any relief in sight.
14 of those 18 Dresden shots came from inside the box, which is a huge problem. Misliu’s injury proneness is a major issue, and I’m very upset that he was brought on in the first place with such a high wage.
I don’t know where to go for answers.
Monthly Review
Our club finances look good at the moment, though our financial status isn’t all that great. This is due in large part to the transfer debt I had to take on, which itself is a byproduct of our lack of a transfer budget. I’ve discovered that Ingolstadt 04 in 2022 is quite literally playing football on hard mode.
The only bright aspect of this month is that Justin Butler somehow managed to place third in the September Player of the Month running. That’s not bad for a 21-year-old who has a lot more potential than actual talent.
Aside from that, there sadly isn’t much to smile about.
Inauspicious Signs
There are whisperings afloat that my job is in grave danger.
Nobody’s said anything about it to me directly, of course, but that feeling is in the air. Staff members try to avoid looking directly in my eyes. Nobody wants to talk about the future anymore.
Malte, our Director of Football, keeps showing me 26-year-old players that he’s stumbled across. I suppose he could sign them on somewhat good deals, though I’d much rather stick with the board’s instructions to bring in players under 22. We don’t need another Misliu situation on our hands, thank you very much.
Charlotte, meanwhile, has stopped eating out, and the children don’t talk about school anymore. We just might wind up moving again after all.
As for the squad, well, winding up in the relegation zone in a league that we’re supposed to dominate isn’t exactly helping the morale situation.
Zwickau
Our next match is at home against FSV Zwickau.
Peter thinks that we’re going to draw, but hopes for a win. All he really seems to care about at this stage is that we figure out a way to attack.
I’m convinced that our tactic is where it needs to be. As for the quality of our players, however, I’m starting to wonder if my transfer policy wasn’t a bit too aggressive.
Is the end near?